When Assumptions are Challenged

In This Issue

When Assumptions are Challenged by TBB Student Lucy Griswold

Creating New Partnerships in Poverty Alleviation

Thinking Beyond Borders has already begun receiving applications for the 2010-2011 Program. Apply early as space is limitted.

Become a FAN!

3500 Trees Planted

Congratulations to the TBB Students and Program Leaders for all their hard work in Ecuador!

Donors

Special thanks to those who have recently given financial support to Thinking Beyond Borders.

Leadership Donors
$10,000 - $24,999
Anonymous
Proctor and Gamble (Old Spice)

Visionary Donors
$5,000 - $9,999
Gerald & Paula McNichols Family Foundation

Global Citizen Donors
$2,500 - $4,999
Anonymous
Brendan Bibro

Empowerment Donors
$1,000 - $2,499
Diane Foye
Patricia May
James & Erin Moorhead
Janet & Bob Pendoley
Heather Stakich
Christopher Verdini

We continue to update our website with a Complete List of TBB's financial contributors.

We are currently fundraising to provide scholarships to students in need so this powerful program will be available to all qualified applicants.
Donate Now

Translations October 2009

Greetings!

Thinking Beyond Borders' Students and Program Leaders have finished their project in the rural community of Búa, Ecuador, and are beginning their hike on the Inca Trail in Peru today. They worked on a reforestation and community development project, and made strong connections with families who hosted their stay.

When Assumptions are Challenged
by TBB Student
Lucy Griswold

Leaving Búa was bittersweet. Our close relationship to our family was almost beginning to match the level of intimacy we had experienced with our snuggly siblings. Host dadddy even felt comfortable enough to ask me why my parents got divorced and how much my trip cost. I pretended not to understand these questions... But really there were several magical moments our last few days living amid cacao, ratones and plantain. Read More

New Additions to the TBB Team

We are thrilled to announce this month that TBB has formally added four new members to our Curriculum Advisors! This diverse group of individuals from around the globe has generously agreed to share their knowledge and experience to ensure the TBB curriculum is rigorous and powerful. Please visit the Team page of the website to learn more about each of these exceptional advisors!

Movie Review: Two Million Minutes
Directed by Chad Heeter

India, China, and a number of other "developing" nations have experienced impressive economic and social gains in recent decades. With growth rates for their GDPs between 8 and 10 percent and rapid expansion and improvement of social services like education and health care, the standard of living within these countries has greatly improved. However, as these economies diversify and develop the capacity to enter the high tech industry as chip makers, programmers, and designers, there is concern that the US and Europe may suddenly have competition for the white collar jobs that were previously theirs without competition. Chad Heeter directed Two Million Minutes to compare how India, China, and the US are educating their respective next generation of workers. The high school experience of two students from each of the three countries is captured in an effort to illustrate a stark contrast the work ethic of the Indian and Chinese students and that of the US students. Hours invested in math and science studies, class time, and weekend tutoring in these developing economies is intended to suggest that the coming generation of US workers will not be able to compete with their peers abroad. Read More

Creating New Partnerships
in Poverty Alleviation

Poverty alleviation is not a new pursuit. In fact, trillions of dollars have been spent over the last sixty years in an effort to address global poverty, hunger, and disease. Yet, they persist. As economies around the world struggle to regain their footing and reduce unemployment, the plight of the poorest members of our global society is largely unseen to those who live in the "developed" world. Their vulnerability to drops in the global economy exposes them to even greater challenges than they normally confront. Read More

The group is excited about their hike to Machu Picchu in Peru and their next project teaching English in China. Having questioned their assumptions about natural resource management and the environment, they will now begin the questioning process again to determine how education can be used as a tool for development.

Sincerely,

Sandy Pendoley

Co-Founder
Thinking Beyond Borders
www.thinkingbeyondborders.org

Photos this month courtesy of TBB Student Sam Porter (Apply Now, When Assumptions are Challenged, New Additions to the TBB Team); TBB Alum Liz Kuenstner (Facebook); TBB Program Leader Jess Melton (3500 Trees Planted).

Thinking Beyond Borders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.